Peppermint tea in my favorite mug, to help get me through tasks I don’t want to do, and to help me relax.

The box image looks a little Christmassy but it feels really refreshing and spring-like, to me.

Also, when we toured the Celestial Seasonings factory in Colorado several years ago, the peppermint tea is kept in its own separate room, cut off from all the other flavors, so they won’t absorb the smell and be overwhelmed. Good to remember.

Audubon watercolors of the birds of North America. (I’ve just framed a couple of these to hang above the bed).

We recently got a car after living in Portland for over a year without one, and we’ve been taking advantage of it by taking day trips out of the city. A few weeks ago, we went to Lake Oswego and looked at all the beautiful (and expensive!) homes, and took in dinner and a movie for a date night.

I’ve never really been one to make new year’s resolutions, but recently I found that I really enjoy taking time to reflect on the year that’s passed, and to feel hopeful for the one that’s about to unfold.